Quake hits Myanmar, Bangladesh, northeast India and West Bengal

A major earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit areas around the Indo-Myanmar border and its tremors were felt in the northeast, West Bengal, Bihar and other parts of the country.

A series of tremors rocked Kolkata on Wednesday, officials and residents said.

Tremors were felt in various parts of the city around 7.25 p.m., snapping communication (mobile and landline) and connectivity.

People scurried out on to streets in panic as a second and third wave shook Kolkata.

The Regional Meteorological Centre at Guwahati said the epicentre of the earthquake was in Myanmar and it occurred 134 km beneath the ground. The tremor occurred around 7.25 p.m.

Seven of the northeastern states -- Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur -- are considered by seismologists as the sixth major earthquake-prone belt in the world.

Guwahati buildings damaged in quake

Tremors shook Assam's main city Guwahati and adjoining areas on Wednesday evening, causing minor damage to some high rise buildings.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority said no major damage had been reported so far.